Police watchdog launches probe after two men killed in Radcliffe horror crash

Jack Christian and Lee Perris were in a silver Volkswagen Polo which overturned and ploughed into a tree on Bury Road, in Radcliffe. The police watchdog has launched an investigation after two men died in a horrific car smash while being pursued by an officer.

The police watchdog has launched an investigation after two young men died in an horrific car smash while being pursued by an officer.

Jack Christian and Lee Perris were in a silver Volkswagen Polo which overturned and ploughed into a tree on Bury Road, in Radcliffe.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is now probing the circumstances surrounding the crash, which happened in the early hours of yesterday. The victims, both in their early 20s and from the Bury area, were being followed by a police car, which had activated its lights and sirens.

Both the driver and the passenger in the Polo were pronounced dead at the scene, close to the Newbank Garden Centre, following the accident at 3.30am.

Police said a taxi driver told officers he was overtaken by the Polo, which was travelling at speed, moments before the smash.

The road was closed after the incident and remained shut for most of yesterday as officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit examined the scene.

Floral tributes were left by the side of the road by devastated friends of the pair.

Video from the scene ...

Fighting back tears, one of Jack’s friends, who did not want to be named, said he was a ‘decent lad’ and told how they had spoken less than an hour before the accident. He said:

“About 2.50am he seemed fine – we tried to speak to him again later but he didn’t reply. Now we know why. It’s too much to take in. I don’t have a clue what happened, just that he’s gone and it doesn’t seem real.

He was a great lad.” Lee’s family were too upset to speak last night. Police were at his mother Tracey’s home in Whitefield and a relative said they were devastated by what had happened.

Supt Steve Nibloe said specially-trained officers were supporting the victims’ loved ones and officers had been conducting inquiries. One of the force’s Professional Standards officers is also investigating the incident as well as the IPCC.

“The officer turned his car around and activated his emergency equipment to pursue the car, but it had already driven off and the officer had lost sight of it. By the time he reached

Newbank Garden Centre, the car had overturned and collided with a tree. In line with standard procedure, the driver will have his driving authority suspended while an investigation is carried out.”

A spokesman for the IPCC said: “The incident was referred to the IPCC and investigators were deployed to the scene. An independent investigation has now begun.” Last night, tributes were being paid to the young victims on social networking sites.

Ste Davidson wrote: “R.I.P Jack & Lee. Was only a week ago we was at Rizzle Kicks Jack. Doesn’t seem real. #RIP” Natasha Lee also tweeted: “Life is far too short for ifs, buts or maybes, take every chance you can with both hands and don’t let go. RIP Jack + Lee.”

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